June 6th

     With a good night sleep under our belts in the luxurious hotel in Cusco, we were all ready to begin our journey up into the mountains. We received a wonderful breakfast from the hotel staff before we took an adventure through the city of Cusco to look for a spot for money exchange. On our walk, we passed through a protest or strike from the doctors on healthcare taking place in the Plaza de Armas. They marched around the main square chanting against the lies of the government. Although we may have got a little lost on our way back, Brittany was able to lead us back to the hotel and we loaded the bus to take off for the Andahuaylillas.
     On our winding drive through the mounatins, we passed through a town of the name I cannot recall where the adobe used for bulding the houses around here is made. We then were dropped off at our final destination, where we received a presntation on the organization of CCAIJO and the services they provide. They are a social services program that are basically located throughout the country. They are always sure to focus on the most vulnerable adult population and have the main goal of providing traning and education skills that can be translated into empowerment, as well as give autonomy to the people.
     The next part of our day was spent exploring a few of the churches in the region that have been in the process of being restored. Our first tour was given from the director of architecture herself who is in the process of working with the church architecutre and the restoration. It was the Church of St. Peter the Apostle which was built in 1610 and has been in the process of being restored for the last 4 years. They restore the temple in the best way they can  in order to try and preserve as much of the original as possible. One of the techniques they use for the paintings and murals can undo the restored process that took place and reveal the original again. The walls of the beginning of the temple are covered in the saints and reveal the way that their lives were taken. A doorway on the side of the church called the door of the souls leads to what used to be the graveyard. Another interesting concept that was moving to the workers in the process of restoring the church happened when they were peeling back old paint. Underneath was the original that no one has seen since the 18th century. We also visited the Church of St. John the Baptist of Huaro, as well as the Chapel of Canincunca on our way up to Ocongate.
     Before heading to the place where we were staying that night, we stopped in Ccatcca to visit and learn about houses that have been improved thanks to CCAIJO. The biggest aspect and concern were the improved kitchens and bathrooms and the skills that were taught. In the kitchen, they were able to designate a corner spot for the fridge in order to keep everything cooler. They also had cupboards now for cups and plates which is unusual as most are likely kept on the floor. A sink with warm water had been put in place along with a wood burning system to heat the pipes to the sink and shower. An oven to cook was also put in their home where the smoke was taken out through the chimney. For the bathroom, they a had shower so that each member of the family could bath regularly which was not custom in the community. It was very moving to hear about how much CCAIJO has done for the family and how grateful they were to recieve these things along with education to keep their selfs along with their family afloat.
     Once it began to get dark, we departed to the CCAIJO facility we were staying at in Ocongate. We took one last stop, however, for dinner at Cuyuni´s lookout. It was an awesome experience to see the stars up on the mountains. It also has been very welcoming to recieve the type of hospitality we have from all the people of every place we have had the pleasure to visit.